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Values of Social Workers and Examples of Those Values Social Workers have a wide variety of values. Values are defined as “the implicit and explicit ideas about what we cherish as ideal or preferable” (DuBois, 1999, p119). This is stating that values provide a guideline for preferred behavior. The fundamental values underlying the social work profession include: (1) service to others, (2) social justice, (3) dignity and worth of the person, (5) importance of human relationships, (6) integrity, and (7) competence. What follows are some descriptions of two of these values, dignity and worth of the person and social justice, as well as examples of these (DuBois, 1999). People have unconditional value and are inherently worthy of respect. The idea that there is a general quality behind all differences in ability, value, and circumstance, that qualifies people as having worth and value, is the foundation for the concepts of human rights. The United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) states that, “…all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights,” and may claim “equality of opportunity” and “equality before the law.” As social workers, the belief that all people have unconditional value is the basis for other social work values. Because people regardless of their situations have a right to self-determination and equal justice, and they deserve basic respect. Social workers may not approve of their clients’ behavior, may believe a client is an inadequate or selfish parent or spouse, or even a dysfunctional person. Still, the social worker must value the client and show basic respect.
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